Musical instrument



Nov. 14, 1939. v. H. SEVERY 2,180,122

MUS I CAL INSTRUMENT Filed May 25, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 14, 1939.

V. H. SEVERY MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed May 25, 1936 2 sheets sheet 2 1 N VE N TOR. Mara/215. SEE/9r ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE Application May 25,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to musical instruments and relates more particularly to musical instruments embodying electrostatic pick-up means. A general object of this invention is to provide a practical effective musical instrument of this character capable of producing tones in which a fundamental tone and its harmonics or partials may be selectively varied in intensity with respect to one another or eliminated at the will and option of the musician to effect very pleasing harmonic tone coloring.

It has long been recognized that the harmonics or partials attendant to the fundamental tones of an instrument give the instrument tones the timber or quality desired. In typical musical instruments, however, there is no means for individually controlling the intensities of these harmonics or partials. Accordingly, it is usually impossible to produce harmonic coloring of the tones of common musical instruments.

Another object of this invention is to provide a musical instrument embodying one or more electrostatic pick-ups for effecting the translation of the vibration of a sounder or sounders into modulations of an electrical current to be converted into sound by an amplifier and loud speaker unit, which instrument is characterized by selective means for varying the intensity of and for eliminating the harmonics or partials of the fundamentals whereby very effective tonal coloring may be obtained. 7

Another object of this invention is to provide a musical instrument comprising a plurality of related vibratile elements or sounders in the form of vibratory strings, reeds, forks, or the like related to respectively produce a fundamental tone and one or more of its partials, and one or more electrostatic pick-ups for the sounders and means for effecting relative movement between the sounders and the pick-ups to control or vary the intensity of the vibrations received by the pick-ups and thus produce practically any tonal coloring desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a musical instrument of the character mentioned embodying a plurality of sounders representing a fundamental tone and its partials or harmonics, electrostatic pick-ups for translating the vibrations of the sounders into modulations of an electrical current and control means in the circuits of the pick-ups for varying the intensity of the said modulations and thus effect the desired tonal coloring.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electrical musical instrument of the char- 1936, Serial No. 81,674

acter mentioned in which the effect of the sounders of the individual pick-ups or the intensities of the modulations of the circuits of the individual pick-ups may be selectively or individually varied at will to produce various tonal coloring effects.

Another object of this invention is to provide a musical instrument that may comprise a multiplicity of sounders such as vibratory strings, and electrostatic pick-ups so proportioned, formed and related to the strings as to facilitate the voicing of the instrument and to obtain the tonal effects resulting from the particular modes of the vibrating sounders.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electrical musical instrument of the character mentioned that is simple and that may comprise a single means for effecting the simultaneous vibration of a group of vibrating elements or sounders representing a fundamental tone and. its partials.

Another object of this invention is to provide a musical instrument of the character mentioned in which the relative adjustment between the vibratile sounders and their electrostatic pick-ups may be effected from a remote point.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel electrostatic pick-up for use in translating the vibrations of a vibratory string that is sensitive to or influenced by vibration of the string regardless of the direction of the vibration.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a group of vibratory forks and a pick-up as embodied in one typical form of the invention. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the group of forks illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings showing the forks in different relative positions. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view takenon line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4' is a fragmentary perspective view of the strings and pick-ups of the invention embodied in a piano type instrument. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the instrument illustrated in Fig. 4 showing the relationship between the insulator and the strings. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective View of another form of the invention embodying a novel form of pick-up. Fig. '7 is a top or plan view of the pick-up illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 8

is a vertical detailed sectional view illustrating a multiplicity of pick-ups of the character illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 in operative relation to Vibratory strings. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View of a form of the invention embodying vibratile reeds showing certain parts in elevation. Fig. 10 is a transverse detailed sectional view of a reed-type instrument embodying another form of electrostatic pick-up. ,Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line HH on Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a form of the invention embodying vibratile forks, and Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view of a reed-type instrument embodying controls in the circuits of the pick-ups, illustrating the circuits and associated parts in a diagrammatic manner. I

The present invention is adapted to be embodied in or employed in instruments involving vibratile elements or sounders of various natures and may be varied somewhat when embodied in certain types of instruments. In the following detailed description I will describe several typical forms or examples of the invention as embodied in musical instruments having typical forms of sounders or vibration producing elements. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the specific forms or details about to be described, but is to be taken as including any features or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

The invention when considered broadly includes, generally, a vibratory element or sounder capable of producing the vibrations of a funda mental tone, one or more sounders capable of producing vibrations representing the harmonics or partials of the said fundamental tone, a pickup unit or pick-up units related to the sounders to effect the translation of the vibration of the same into modulations in an electrical current and means for selectively varying the intensity of the modulations resulting from the vibration of the individual sounders or for eliminating the modulations resulting from the vibration of one or more of the sounders to obtain the desired tonal coloring, the last being effected either by relative adjustment between the sounders and pick-up or pick-ups, or by the control of the circuits of the pick-ups.

The invention as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings comprises a plurality of, sounders or vibration producing elements in the form of vibratile forks F. The forks F are preferably arranged in a group to be simultaneously vibrated by a single hammer H, or the like, of reasonable proportions. There may be any suitable or desired number of groups of the forks F to comprise an instrument having a scale of any extent. In the illustrative example illustrated there are three forks F, one being formed to produce the vibrations of a fundamental tone, one being formed to produce the vibrations of a harmonic or partial of said tone, and the third being formed to produce the vibrations of another partial or harmonic of the fundamental tone. It will be obvious, of course, that there may be fewer or more forks F embodied in the group as desired, or necessary.

The forks F have their shanks IE3 received in a suitable support. The support or carrier for the forks F may be in the form of a box or case [I carrying sound and vibration insulating material such as felt 82 for contacting the lower edges and sides of the shanks iii. The shanks ill of the forks F are spaced apart by felts I3. A strap I4 extends across the top of the case H to prevent upward displacement of the shanks iii and carries felt l5 which is engageable by the upper edges of the shanks It, The forks F supported in this manner in the felt or insulation do not set up interfering vibrations within the case ii and their vibrations are not excessively dampened or absorbed by their mounting means. As illustrated in the drawings the forks F are parallel and are in horizontal positions. The bifurcated end portions of the forks F project from a free or open end of a case i l to be free for vibration and for engagement by the hammer H. The upper or outer arms !6 of the forks F are adapted to be simultaneously struck by the hammer H which may be operated by a suitable piano movement (not shown).

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings the forks F are shiftable or movable to effect the desired tonal coloring. The forks F mounted as described above have their shanks It shiftable longitudinally on the felt i2 and the felts l3 and are independently or individually movable. Various means may be utilized to selectively or individually shift the forks F. In the simple arrangement illustrated horizontal shafts H extend above the forks F in transverse relation thereto. Each shaft l'i carries a downwardly projecting arm It. The arms l8 have suitable heads l9 received in notches 28 in the upper edges of the forks F. The shafts ii are turnable and operating levers 2! project from the shafts to effect their rotation or turning, It will be apparent how suitable control means or shifting devices may be connected with the levers 2i to individually turn the shafts H to effect individual or selective adjustment of the forks F.

The simple embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings includes, a relatively stationary electrostatic pick-up 22. The pick-up 22 is located to be influenced by or responsive to vibrations of the several forks F when they are in their extended or out positions. The pick-up 22 may be a simple member of elec trical conducting non-magnetic material. The particular pick-up 22 illustrated is of substantially L-shaped cross section having a vertical arm 23 secured to an end of the case I! and a horizontal arm 25 to extend inwardly over the end portions of the lower arms le of the forks F. The pick-up arm 24 is of sufficient width to cover the end portions of each of the several fork arms lfi plane of the fork arms I b but is positioned so that it is not engaged by the arms when they are in vibration.

The pick-up 22 is connected in a suitable amplifier and speaker circuit (not shown). A terminal 25 is provided on the pick-up 2.2 and a lead or conductor extends from the terminal for connection in the amplifmng circuit. Leads 0r conductors 2'8 are connected with the vibratile forks F. In practice the conductors 2'! may be connected with the shafts i? so that they are electrically connected with the forks F through the medium of the arms it. The vibratile arms Hi of the forks F when acting within the receptive range of the pick-up 22 comprise movable armatures to produce modulations in the circuit of the pick-up which modulations are truly representative of the vibrations of the forks F so that the pick-up 22 translates the vibrations of the The pick-up arm 2 is relatively close to the forks F into electrical current modulations ca- 75 pable of reproduction as the true tones of the forks. The pick-up 22 and the adjacent parts are preferably shielded by a shield (not shown) of soft iron or magnetic iron to prevent external agencies from affecting the pick-up.

In the operation of the instrument illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings let it be assumed that the pick-up 22 and the leads 21 are connected in a suitable amplifier and loud speaker circuit and that one fork F is adapted to produce the vibrations of a fundamental tone and that the other forks F are adapted to produce the vibrations of certain harmonics or partials of that tone. When the forks F are in the positions where their lower tines or arms l6 have equal portions under the pick-up arm 24, vibration of the several tines, as by the hammer H, produces a compound tone composed of the fundamental and the two partials. The several forks F may be simultaneously vibrated by the single hammer H. As the pick-up arm 24 is disposed above the lower tines [B the impulse of the hammer blow on the forks giving its tines or arms extensive downward movement does not cause the lower arm 16* to contact the pick-up arm 24. As above described, the arms of the forks F constitute the movable armatures of the pick-up 22 and when in vibration vary the potential in the pick-up field or gap and thus produce modulations in the electrical current of th pick-up circuit.

When it is desired to vary the coloring of the tone one or more of the forks F may be shifted longitudinally by means of the levers 2! to move their lower tines or arms It with respect to the pick-up 22. For example, one fork F may be shifted to a position where its arm l6 has a relatively small portion within the zone of receptivity of the pick-up 22, one fork F may be shifted to a position where its arm I6 is entirely out of the field of reception of the pick-up 22, or the range of the hummer H, and the third fork, say the fundamental fork, may remain where its arm It has a substantial portion within the field of the pick-up 22. Vibration of the forks F will then produce a tone characterized by a strong fundamental and one relatively light partial. The forks F may be individually moved to positions where they are not engageable by the hammer H and, therefore, are not vibrated with the other forks. It is believed that it will be apparent how the forks F may be shifted or adjusted at will to produce varied and pleasing coloring of the resultant tones. The forks F are supported in a manner so that their vibration is not appreciably dampened and so that there is no interference of the vibrations of one fork with the other, and no transference of vibration from one fork to the other. The forks F are arranged so that they may be readily adjusted or shifted at the pleasure of the musician from a remote point to effect the desired coloring of the tones.

Figs. 4 and of the drawings illustrate a form of the invention applied to a stringed instrument. As shown in the drawings the instrument is of the piano type, it being understood that the invention contemplates the employment of this form of the invention on various other stringed instruments (not shown). The instrument structure illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings includes a suitable sounding board 30, a bridge 31 on the sounding board and a tail piece 32 spaced from the bridge 3i and carrying p gs or posts 33. A plurality of tensioned vibratory strings 34 extends across the sounding board 39 and bears on the bridge 3|. The ends of the strings 34 are secured by the posts 33. The strings 34 are preferably arranged in parallel relation in a common plane. The vibratory strings 34 may bear the same relationship as those of a piano or may bear any desired relationship. In the present instance it will be assumed that the strings 34 are graduated in diameter from one end of the series of strings to the other. The strings 34 are metallic and electrical conducting and may be of the type employed in pianos.

In accordance with the invention one or more electrostatic pick-ups are provided for each vibratory string 34. In the particular case illustrated in the drawings a pick-up 35 is arranged to extend transversely below the several strings 34 to be responsive to vibrations of the same. The pick-up 35 is supported by a shiftable or adjustable carrier 36. The carrier 36 has its opposite end portions bearing on suitable supports 31. Slots 33 are provided in the end portions of the carrier 35 and extend parallel with the strings 34.

Screws or bolts 39 extend through the slots 38 to guide the carrier 36 and to permit the setting of the carrier in adjusted position, if desired. The pick-up may extend transversely below the entire series of strings 34, however, as will be subsequently described, the invention contemplates the provision of individual pickups for the separate strings and pick-ups for groups of adjacent strings.

The pick-up 35 may be of any suitable electrical conducting nonmagnetic metal or may comprise a form of wood or material. The pickup 35 is secured to the carrier 36 to have its upper surface adjacent the strings 34. In accordance with the invention grooves 40 are provided in the upper side of the pick-up 35 to directly oppose or to partially receive the vibratory strings 34 whereby the pick-up is more responsive to the multi-directional vibration of the strings. It is a feature of the invention that the pick-up 35 is tapered or of diminishing width to compensate for the differences in the frequencies of the vibrations of the strings of different diameters. In practice the pick-up 35 is of diminishing width from the lower large-diametered strings to the higher small-diametered strings to properly compensate for the increasing amplitude of the progressively higher strings.

A conductor or lead 4! extends from the electrostatic pick-up 35 to a suitable ampl fying and loud speaker circuit (not shown). The strings 3 constitute the movable or vibratile armatures of the pick-up 35 and are connected in the amplifier and loud speaker circuit. The tail piece 32 may be of electrical conducting material and a common lead or ground lead 42 may be connected with the tail piece 32 so that the several strings 34 are connected in the amplifier and loud speaker circuit.

While the carrier 35 of the pick-up 35 may be directly moved and set in adjusted position by the bolts 39 to voice the instrument, the invention may provide means for shifting the carrier 36 from a remote point to provide for the chromatic variation of the tones as desired. In the typical construction illustrated lugs 43 project from the carrier 36 and carry pins 44. Bell cranks 45 are pivotally supported adjacent the lugs 43 and have slots 46 receiving the pins 44. The bell cranks 45 are adapted to be operated or pivoted by suitable operating rods 41.

The invention provides a novel safety device orstop to prevent the contact of the vibratory strings 34 with the pick-up 35. In practice the stop 48 is preferably arranged along the rear or outer side or edge of the pick-up 35. The stop 18 projects above the upper surface of the pickup 35 and has grooves or notches 59 below or opposing the strings 34 whose -walls are slightly above the walls of the grooves 45. In the event of excessive vibration of the strings 3 they may contact the stop 48* and thus be prevented from contacting the pick-up 35 which would produce undesirable noise.

In accordance with the invention two or more pick-ups may be provided for each of the several strings One pick-up, say the pick-up 35, may be located to be responsive to the strings 34 when vibrating in the fundamental mode while a second pick-up or a second set of pick-ups may be provided to be responsive to the harmonic vibrations of the strings. If desired, the second pick-up may comprise a single continuous structure similar to the pick-up However, as shown in the drawings, there may be a single pick-up, as shown at 58, to be responsive to each individual string J4 and/or pick-ups fill responsive to the vibration of two, three or more of the strings 3d. The pick-ups 8 and t9 may be of the same construction and operation the pick-- up 35. The pick-ups ts and as are supported by a carrier 55 similar to the carrier The carrier 55 may have slots iii in its end portions receiving bolts 52 whereby it may be shifted or adjusted and set in the adjusted positions. If desired, the carrier 55 sup-porting the pick-ups 58 and 39 may be shifted or moved from a remote point in the same manner as the carrier 36. Leads or conductors 53 extend from the pick-ups t8 and S9 to the circuit of a suitable amplifier and loud speaker. It is to be understood that the leads or conductors ii and 53 may be individually controlled to cut out or vary the intensity of the tones produced by the action of the strings on the pick-ups.

In the operation of the instrument illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings the carriers 35 and 5! may be adjusted or shifted to voice the instrument as above described and then set in position by the bolts 39 and 52. desired, how ever, the carriers 36 and 59 may be arranged to shift or move so that the pick-ups 35, 58 and 49 may be shifted at will. The strings may be set in vibration in any suitable manner as by hammers or the like, and the vibration of the strings above the pick-ups produces modulations in the circuits of the pick-ups which modulations are converted into sound by the amplifying and loud speaker unit.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings illustrate a form of the invention embodying a novel im-- proved type of electrostatic pick-up for association with vibratory strings. The sounders or strings S t may be arranged and supported above a sounding board in the same manner as the strings 35 shown in Figs. 4 and 5. As illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings the improved pickups 55 of the present invention are supported on a suitable carrier 56. The carrier 55 may be shift able or adjustable in the same manner as the carriers 36 and 5d. The pick-ups 55 illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8 are in the form of split tubes supported on individual bases 5'1. The bases iii are secured to the carrier 55 to support the pickups 55 where the strings t l pass through them. The tubular pick-ups are sufficiently large in diameter to pass or receive the strings 34 with substantial clearance whereby the strings may vibrate without contacting the pick-ups. Each pick-up 35 is provided with a longitudinal slit 58 adapted to pass a string 34 to facilitate the assembling of the instrument. The pick-ups 35 may be formed of electrical conducting nonmagnetic material or other suitable material. Leads or conductors 59 connect the pick-ups 55 with a suitable amplifier and loud speaker circuit (no-t shown).

The sounders orstrings 34 constitute the movable armatures of the pick-ups 55 and may be connected in the amplifier and loud speaker in the same manner as the strings 3t. Being tubular in form the pick-ups 55 substantially encompass the strings 34 and therefore are operable to translate the vibrations of the strings into electric current modulations regardless of the direction of the vibrations. The lengths of the pick-ups 55 may be varied in accordance with the amplitude or diameter of the strings 3d and if necessary may be varied in diameter for the same reason. The pick-ups may be shifted longitudinally of the strings by moving the carrier to voice the instrument and to obtain theeffect desired.

Fig. 6 of the drawings illustrates one of the pick-ups 55 carried by a bracket 665. The bracket 55 has a flange 6i shiftable along a support 3%. A slot 52 is provided in the flange 6i and extends parallel with the adjacent string 3%. Headed pins or screws 53 cooperate with the slot 62 to shiftably guide the flange 51. An arm 64 projects from the flange 6| to facilitate the longitudinal adjustment of the pick-up 55. It is believed that it will be understood how the several pick-ups 55 may be supported for individual adjustment in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings if this procedure is desired.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings illustrate the invention embodied in a reed type instrument or an instrument where vibratory reeds constitute the sounders. The instrument illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings includes a hollow case or body 55 having a chamber 66 for carrying air under pressure. Spaced outlet openings 67 are provided in a wall of the chamber 56 and are normally closed by valves 68. The valves 68 may be shifted or opened from a remote point by stems 59 and suitable operating parts (not shown).

In accordance with the invention a plurality of vibratile sounders are located adjacent each opening 5? to be vibrated by the outward passage of air through the openings. In the typical arrangement illustrated there are three reeds 10 extending across the inner end of each opening 51. The reeds H3 may be mounted on a suitable block H of electrical insulating material. Each group of reeds It comprises a reed capable of producing a vibration that istaken as a fundamental tone and the other reeds which produce partials of that fundamental tone. The invention provides flexible electrostatic pick-ups T2 for the sounders or reeds It. In accordance with the invention a pick-up i2 is spaced inwardly from or below each reed Ill. The pick-ups 72 may be flexible reed-like parts of electrical conducting non-magnetic material and are adapted to be connected with an amplifier and loud speaker circuit by suitable conductors E3. The reeds Til constitute the armatures of the pick-ups 72 and are adapted to be connected with the amplifier and speaker unit by a common lead or ground lead 14.

It is a feature of the invention that the spacing of the pick-ups 12 with relation to the reeds 10 may be varied at the will of the musician to control the coloring of the tones produced. The pick-ups 12 may be formed and mounted to normally flex inwardly or away from the reeds 10. Push rods '15 are provided to urge or push the pick-ups 12 toward the reeds 10. The rods 15 are shiftable through openings in a support member 16 and contact the inner sides of the pickups 12. The push rods 15 have relatively steep threads cooperating with similar threads in openlugs 18 provided in a support member 19.

Means is provided for rotating the rods 15 to effect their longitudinal threading or movement for the purpose of shifting the pick-ups l2 relative to the reeds 10. A plurality of longitudinally shiftable racks 80 is provided in the body 65. The number of racks 88 corresponds to the number of pick-ups 12 provided at or adjacent each opening 61. Accordingly, in the case illustrated there are three spaced racks 80. Pinions 8| are keyed or fixed to the rods 15 and mesh with the racks 80. The pinions 8| of corresponding rods 15 mesh with corresponding racks 80. In other words, the pinions 8| on the rods 15 for shifting the pick-ups l2 opposite the fundamental tone reeds 10 mesh with the same rack 80, and the pinions 81 on the rods 15 for adjusting the pickups 12 opposition corresponding harmonic or partial reeds 19 mesh with the same racks 80. Operating shafts 82 are rotatable in openings in the members 16 and 19 and each shaft carries a pinion 83. The pinions 83 mesh with the racks 80 whereby one shaft 82 controls or moves a rack. Operating levers 84 are provided on the shafts 82 whereby the shafts may be turned from an adjacent or remote point. The conductors 73 may be electrically connected with the pick-ups 72 through the medium of the rods 15, pinions 8| and racks 80.

Fig. 10 of the drawings illustrates a type of pick-up 12* that may be employed with the apparatus if desired. The reed 10 with which the pick-up '12 is to be employed is first analyzed to find its leading or principal harmonic. The pickup 12 is in the form of a reed or a split reed and is turned to vibrate in sympathy to the reed l0. Vibration of the reed 10 when the valve 68 is opened results in vibration of the pick-up '12 in harmony with and sympathy to the reed 10 effects modulations of the pick-up circuit to produce a very beautifully colored tone. Connections 13 are electrically connected to the pick-up l2 whereby they may be connected in a suitable amplifier and speaker circuit. The rods 12 may have tips 11 of insulation for contacting the pickups 12 It is believed that the operation of the instrument illustrated in Figs. 9, l and 11 of the drawings will be understood from the foregoing detailed description. When a valve 68 is opened air under pressure from the chamber 66 rushes out through the opening 61 to effect vibration of the reeds ID at that opening. Vibration of the reeds 10 if within the range of receptivity'of the pick-ups 12 produces modulations in the circuits of the pick-ups which modulations may be translated into sound by a suitable amplifier and loud speaker unit. By manipulation or operation of the levers 84 the rods 15 may be shifted or threaded longitudinally tovary the spacing of the pick-ups 12 with respect to the reeds Ill. In this manner the intensity of the modulations produced in the pick-up circuits by the fundamental reed and the harmonic reeds may be selectively governed. By adjustment or shifting of the pick-ups 12 with respect to the vibratory reeds Hi the musician may obtain practically any tonal coloring desired. If reed type pick-ups 12 such as illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings ar employed the tone is greatly enhanced by the sympathetic vibration of the pick-ups.

Fig. 12 of the drawings illustrates an instrument of the invention comprising a sounder in the form of a fork 86 and an electrostatic pick-- up 81 shiftable relative to the fork 86. The fork 5G and the pick-up 8'! may be supported on a suitable base or body 88. The shank 89 of the fork 86 is supported on the body 88 through suitable insulation such as felt 90 and is secured to the body by screws 9| or the like. The arms or tines 92 of the fork 86 project for free vibration. It will be obvious, of course, that the fork 86 may be actuated or vibrated in any suitable manner as by a hammer. The pick-up 8? comprises an elongate part of electrical conducting nonmagnetic material. The pick-up S! is secured to a block 93 to project above and in spaced parallel relation with one of the tines 92. In the arrangement illustrated the pick-up 8? is spaced slightly above the lower tine 92. The block 85 is shiftable on the body 88 to effect adjustment of the pick-up 81 relative to the tine 92. A key or tongue 94 is provided on the block Q3 and shiftably operates in a groove 95 in the body 88.

The block 93 may be shifted between a position where the pick-up 8! is in close proximity to a substantial portion of the lower tine B2 and a position where it is removed or spaced from the tine 92 to be unaffected thereby. A notch 96 is provided in the block 93 and receives a lever 9?. The lever 9'! is carried by and operated by a shaft 98. The shaft 98 is adapted to be turned to shift or adjust the pick-up 87 relative to the lower tine 92 of the fork 86. A lead or electrical conductor 89 is provided to connect the electrostatic pick-up 81 with a suitable amplifier and.

loud speaker unit (not shown). The lower tine of the fork 86 comprises the movable armature or shiftable field member of the pick-up 3i and a conductor I80 is provided to connect the fork 86 with the amplifier and loud speaker unit. A plurality of sets of forks and pick-ups of the character just described may be provided to constitute an instrument having a complete scale.

The operation of the instrument illustrated in Fig. 12 of the drawings is substantially the same as that of the instrument illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. The pick-up 8? may be shifted by means of the shaft 98 to control or vary the intensity of the modulations imposed on the electrical circuit of the pick-up by vibration of the lower tine 92. tonal colorings may be obtained.

Fig. 13 of the drawings illustrates an instrument of the invention wherein the translation of the vibration of reed type sounders into modulations of an electrical current may be governed by rheostat modulators to produce variations in the character or coloring of the tones.

The instrument shown in Fig. 13 includes a body l0! having a chamber 582 to which air under pressure is delivered. Spaced ports m3 occur in a wall of the chamber Hi2 and are normally closed by valves I04. The valves Hit may be opened or controlled from a remote point in the well known manner. A plurality of sounders in the form of reeds I05 is provided at the inner end of each opening N33. The reeds H35 may be In this manner various similar to the reeds It. There may be three reeds m at each opening I63 to produce what may be considered a fundamental and two of its partials.

An electrostatic pick up m6 is provided for each reed N35. The electrostatic pick-ups 195 may be carried by a suitable support 10'! to be stationary relative to the reeds I135. The electrostatic pick-ups iilii may constitute bodies of electrical conducting non-magnetic material of the desired shape and size. The sounders or reeds I05 form the movable field members or armatures of the pick-ups Hi6 and are connected in the circuit of an amplifier and speaker unit Iii"! by a common conductor Hi8. Energized conductors Hi9 extend from the pick-ups E96. Modulators or variable rheostats iii are interposed between the pick-ups Hit and theamplifier and loud speaker unit lili. The leads ice of corresponding pick-ups li t extend to the same rheostat [56. Where there are three pick-ups I06 at each opening 583 there are three variable rheostats I iii. A lead or conductor ill connects the rheostats HG with the amplifier and loud speaker unit till.

In the operation of the instrument illustrated in Fig. 13 of the drawings one or more of the valves W4 may be raised to permit the discharge of air through the openings N33 to effect vibration of the reeds iilii. Vibration of the reeds it? disturbs the electrical fields of the pick-ups E55 to produce modulations in the circuits of the pick-ups which modulations are imposed on the amplifier and loud speaker unit ltl to be produced as sound. The rheostats l H3 may be governed or operated to vary the intensity of these modulations imposed upon the unit lt'l by the fundamental tone producing reeds 5535 or either of the partial producing reeds. Thus the rheostats llfi may be controlled to produce any de sired coloring of the tones.

The above described instruments of the present invention, embodying the electrostatic pick-ups are far superior to the electrical musical instrumerits herefore introduced employing electromagnetic pick-up weights or loads the sounder or vibrating element in a manner to lower its tone. Many attempts have been made to correct or compensate for this change in tone by the action of the electromagnetic pick-ups. However, this undesirable action of the electromagnetic pick-ups cannot be fully overcome because of the influence of the magnet or magnets on the material of the sounder or sounders. The electrostatic pick-ups employed in the instruments of the present invention do not in any way influence or load the vibrators or sounders. The abovedescribed instruments embody means for effecting adjustment between the sounders and the pick-ups to voice the instruments and if desired to produce practically any desired coloring of the resultant tones. Where three or more sounders or vibrators are employed to produce a tone the instruments of the invention embody means for selectively varying the intensities of the electrical modulations produced by the vibrations of the individual sounders. This selective adjustment is capable of effecting very desirable and beautiful coloring of the tones.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but Wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a musical instrument, a plurality of vibratile forks, one producing fundamental vibrations, the others producing vibrations which are the partials of said fundamental, an electrostatic pick-up receptive to vibrations of the forks to translate the vibrations into modulations in an electrical current, means supporting the forks for individual shifting relative to the pick-up comp-rising sound insulation supporting the forks and spacing them one from the other, and means for shifting the forks at the will of the player during the playing of the instrument.

2. In a musical instrument, the combination of a rigid support, a pick-up secured to said support, a plurality of vibratile forks of different pitch slidably mounted in the support, bearings formed. of felt for supporting the forks and insulating them against vibration, means for simultaneously striking all of said forks to cause vibration of the same, and means actuated by the player during the playing of the instrument to slide the forks toward and away from the pick-up.

3. In a musical instrument, the combination of a box, bearings formed of felt mounted in said box, a plurality of vibratory forks having their shanks mounted in said bearings and arranged in parallel relation, rocker shafts mounted above the forks, means for connecting the respective shafts with the forks for sliding the same, means for manually actuating the rocker shafts, means for vibrating the forks, and an electrostatic pickup mounted adjacent to the vibrating end of the forks and adapted to coact with the forks during the playing of an instrument whereby tones of different color may be produced by movement of the forks.

VICTOR H. SEVERY. 

